Unlocking the Potential of Sunyaev-Zeldovich Cluster Surveys with Advanced Cosmological Simulations

这项研究将使用对宇宙结构形成进行详细、高分辨率模拟的合成观测，重点关注可能阻碍Sunyaev-Zeldovich效应(SZE)调查进展的三个具体问题。首先，由星系团合并导致的星系团SZE特征的瞬时增强可能会使观测到的星系团与宇宙学模型的比较变得非常复杂。其次，星团质量的测量可能会引入系统误差和偏差。最后，内部流动对通过动力学SZE测量星团的特殊速度起到了污染物的作用，但它们本身是一个有趣的观测对象。为了最大限度地发挥这项研究的影响，所有模拟结果的全部内容将通过模拟集群档案供科学界使用。研究项目将涉及本科生天体物理专业，调查人员将通过一项针对代表性不足群体的大学倡议，与一所地区高中合作。

AST-0407368BurnsThis research will use synthetic observations applied to detailed, high-resolution simulations of cosmological structure formation to focus on three specific problems that may hinder progress with surveys of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE). First, the transient boosting of a cluster's SZE signature due to cluster mergers may significantly complicate comparison of observed clusters to cosmological models. Second, measurement of cluster masses may introduce both systematic errors and bias. Finally, internal flows act as a contaminant to measurements of cluster peculiar velocities through the kinetic SZE, but are themselves an interesting observable. To maximize the impact of this research, all simulation results, in their entirety, will be available for use by the scientific community through the Simulated Cluster Archive. Research projects will be generated to involve undergraduate astrophysics majors, and the investigators will partner with an area high school via a university initiative that targets under-represented groups.